Former NHL forward and Olympian Corey Millen has been the named Air Force’s director of hockey.
Millen comes to the Academy after spending the 2016-17 season as an undergraduate assistant coach at Minnesota while completing his undergraduate degree in recreation, park and leisure studies.
“We are thrilled to add Corey to our staff,” Air Force coach Frank Serratore said in a statement. “A glance at his playing resume quickly validates him as an American hockey legend. Corey brings a tremendous amount of coaching experience to the table as well. He won a Robertson Cup championship in the NAHL as a head coach in 2015 and served as a member of the University of Minnesota coaching staff last season. His experience as both a player and coach makes him a very attractive addition to our staff.”
Millen spent four seasons as the head coach of the Minnesota Wilderness in the North American Hockey League. He led the Wilderness to three NAHL playoff appearances. In 2015, he led the Wilderness to the Robertson Cup championship. Millen also served as head coach of the Alaska Avalanche during the 2011-12 season.
“I am extremely excited to work with Frank, Joe, Andy and the rest of the Air Force staff,” Millen added. “They are highly-regarded in the hockey world. Frank has been extremely helpful to me and I am excited to learn from this excellent staff.”
A four-year letter winner at Minnesota, Millen’s production as a college player stands out among the best ever at Minnesota. The forward recorded 241 points (119 goals, 122 assists) in 149 career games – his point total and goal total both rank third in program history behind John Mayasich and Pat Micheletti and his assist total ranks seventh at Minnesota. Millen, who led the Gophers in scoring in 1985-86 and 1986-87, was a second-team All-American in 1986 and was a three-time all-conference selection. He helped Minnesota to the 1983 WCHA regular-season crown as well as three berths in the Frozen Four. Millen was named the John Mariucci Most Valuable Player for the Gophers in 1985-86 and served as a team captain in 1986-87.
Millen played 14 years in the NHL, including stints with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames. He played 331 career games with 209 points (90 goals 119 assists). He also made two Olympic appearances during the 1984 Olympic Games in Sarajevo and the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary.
